SCHOOL GROUPS: Okefenokee RESA Public School
Reservations for Okefenokee Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) area school districts (Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Pierce, and Ware Counties) must be made by filling out the form below.
We consider school groups to be 24 or more paid students/adults. Advance reservations are required and must be made at least 4 weeks prior to the trip date – the sooner the better. Our peak season is March, April, and May, so reservations may need to be made sooner if you are planning your trip for those times. Your reservation date is NOT secured until you receive a confirmation email from us.
You will need the following information when completing the School Field Trip form below:
- Name of school or group
- School’s or group’s address
- 2 Contact phone numbers
- 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Choice preferred dates
- Time of arrival
- Time of departure
- Approximate number of students, teachers, & parents/chaperones
- If you will be bringing and eating lunch or if you plan to utilize our Cafe Cornelia options.
- Your tour option (60 or 90 minute boat tour)
If chaperones/parents will be attending with your group and wish to participate in the field trip or tour, we must have an accurate count prior to your arrival. Parents may submit payment to the school (for one total payment for all participants), pay upon arrival, or pay ahead of time online (by teacher request). Chaperones who arrive at Okefenokee Adventures who were not included in the total count may not be able to participate in field trip activities.
SCHOOL GROUPS: Non-Okefenokee RESA School
Reserve a School Field Trip: Reservations for school groups of 24 or more must be made by filling out the form below.
We consider school groups to be 24 or more paid students/adults. Advance reservations are required and must be made at least 4 weeks prior to the trip date – the sooner the better. Our peak season is March, April, and May, so reservations may need to be made sooner if you are planning your trip for those times. Your reservation date is NOT secured until you receive a confirmation email from us.
You will need the following information when completing the School Field Trip form below:
- Name of school or group
- School’s or Group’s address
- 2 Contact phone numbers
- 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Choice preferred dates
- Time of arrival
- Time of departure
- Approximate number of students, teachers, & parents/chaperones
- Transporation type
- If you will be bringing and eating lunch or if you plan to utilize our Cafe Cornelia options.
- Your tour option (60 or 90 minute boat tour)
If chaperones/parents will be attending with your group and wish to participate in the field trip or tour, we must have an accurate count prior to your arrival. Parents may submit payment to the school (for one total payment for all participants), pay upon arrival, or pay ahead of time online (by teacher request). Chaperones who arrive at Okefenokee Adventures who were not included in the total count may not be able to participate in all field trip activities.
PRIVATE TOURS
Reserve a Private Tour: Reservations for private groups of 24 or more must be made by filling out the form below.
We consider private group tours to be 24 or more paid participants. Advance reservations are required and must be made at least 4 weeks prior to the trip date – the sooner the better. Our peak season is March, April, and May, so reservations may need to be made sooner if you are planning your trip for those times. Your reservation date is NOT secured until you receive a confirmation email from us.
You will need the following information when completing the Private Group Tour form below:
- Your selection of tour options
- Name of group
- 2 Contact phone numbers
- 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Choice of preferred dates
- Time of arrival
- Time of departure
- Approximate number of participants
- Transporation type
- If you will be bringing and eating lunch or utilizing Cafe Cornealia options.
TOUR OPERATOR GROUPS
Reservations for tour operator groups of 24 or more must be made by filling out the form below. The programming options for a tour group are limited to a water excursion, train ride, and nature show.
We consider tour operator groups to be 24 or more paid participants. Advance reservations are required and must be made at least 4 weeks prior to the trip date – the sooner the better. Our peak season is March, April, and May, so reservations may need to be made sooner if you are planning your trip for those times. Your reservation date is NOT secured until you receive a confirmation email from us.
You will need the following information when completing the Tour Operator Field Trip form below:
- Name of Group
- 2 Contact Phone Numbers
- 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Choice Preferred Dates
- Time of Arrival
- Time of departure
- Approximate number of group participants
- If you will be bringing and eating lunch while at the park.
- Your selection of tour options (60 or 90 minute boat tour)
Simple Guidelines:
If you are bringing a school group or a group of children, we require one chaperone per ten children. Those chaperones will be complimentary. Any chaperones who attend that are not complimentary will need to provide payment either to the group organizer, pay upon arrival, or pay ahead of time online. Chaperones who were not included in the finalized total and wait to make their payment until they arrive are not guaranteed to complete all field trip activities.
The amount of time you spend at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is dependent upon your field trip selections. In general, please allow 3 to 4 hours to see and complete all activities. We will create the schedule for you so you’ll know who needs to be where and when. Once you receive your confirmation letter, please read it carefully. If something is incorrect, contact us as soon as possible. Should you need to cancel, please allow us at least one day advance notice. Please note that we will be contacting you using the email address that is collected on the Reservation Form.
Payment:
We do not require a deposit; however, payment is due on the day you arrive and must be paid with one payment transaction.
Arrival:
It is extremely important that your group arrives at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area in FOLKSTON, GA (please be sure you are not confused with Okefenokee Swamp Park location!) at least 30 minutes prior to the start time for your field trip. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide your full field trip selections if you are late.
For Georgia Schools:
Tax Exempt Notice: You must pay with a school check or credit card and provide a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption when you come. Failure to do this will result in the 8% being added to your total. You must bring this form EVERY time you come, no exceptions. Parents or others not covered in the one to ten chaperones will have to pay separately and pay tax, unless you include them in the school check. Prices will be given when you set up the visit.
FAQ
Can groups visit the gift shop?
The refuge has one gift shop available to guests. We ask that teachers only allow 25 students at a time and as soon as purchases are made to exit to make room for others. Prices range from $1.99 and up.
How much time will our group need?
Depending upon the size of the group, you will need from 2-3 hours.
Do you have educational material for teachers
Please contact Katie Antczak at kantczak@okresa.org to arrange access to educational materials.
The school will provide lunch, but where can we eat?
The refuge has picnic areas, and restroom facilities available on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not charge for these facilities, but ask that you clean up after yourself.
Are there lunch options at the refuge?
Lunch may be available from our Cornelia Cafe for an additional cost. Please contact Eric Looft at eric.looft@okeswamp.org to make lunch arrangements at least 2 weeks prior to your field trip date.
What if it rains?
Unless there is a severe weather event, all programs will continue as normal. Most of the field trip/tour activities are outdoors, so prepare for the weather. If the weather forecast predicts heavy rain, you may reschedule your trip/tour, but we need at least a 24-hr advanced notice. Sorry – no refunds for weather conditions or insects!
Is the admission for teachers free?
In order for things to go smoothly for you and the refuge, we request at least one teacher per ten children. We will extend complimentary passes to the one teacher/chaperone per ten children. Teachers will be with their kids at ALL times (in the park and gift shop) to ensure respectful behavior to our animals and other guests.
How do we reserve for our group?
To reserve your field trip or tour, please fill out the form and refer to the information found here.
